Elizabeth Taylor was a true Hollywood icon.
The actress ― known for her star turns in an array of films, including “A Place in the Sun,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Cleopatra” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” Tin Roof” ― made her screen debut at age 10 in 1942′s “There’s One Born Every Minute.” By the time she was 12 and acclaimed for her role in “National Velvet,” she was a bona fide star who would go on to win two Academy Awards.
Taylor, who also became known for her many relationships ― especially her two marriages to Richard Burton ― and her iconic violet eyes, was the epitome of Old Hollywood glamour. She had a classic style ― think Dior’s New Look, which became the big trend for women in the 1940s and ’50s ― and a penchant for wearing expensive jewels.
Today, in honor of what would have been the screen icon’s 87th birthday (she died in 201), we’re taking a look back at some of her most stunning vintage style moments. Check it out below:
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Taylor in a publicity shot early in her career.
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Taylor in a photo from the 1947 film “Cynthia.”
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Taylor wears a printed top in this photo.
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A portrait of the British-born actress leaning on a bannister in a halter-strap gown.
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Taylor attends Lord Mayor’s Parade in London.
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Taylor twirls her dress at her family’s home in Los Angeles.
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Taylor, as seen in the film “A Date with Judy.”
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A portrait shot at age 16, in Vogue.
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Taylor wears a dress with a lace bodice and pleated skirt in this studio photo.
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Taylor arrives in New York aboard the Queen Elizabeth.
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Taylor wears a printed frock by Ceil Chapman.
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Taylor sits on a large chair with a fan-like backrest wearing a long sleeve dress.
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The screen star seen at the Acropolis in Athens.
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Taylor poses for a portrait in the 1950s.
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Taylor poses for a studio portrait.
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Taylor wears a green sleeveless low-cut dress, with a white fur wrap.
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Taylor dressed in a full skirt.
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Taylor stands outside the sound stages at Paramount Studios during the filming of “A Place in the Sun,” which also starred her longtime friend Montgomery Clift.
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Taylor and her plastic transparent handbag in London.
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Taylor, as she appeared in the MGM film “Love is Better Than Ever.”
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Taylor wears a sleeveless lace brocade dress.
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Taylor holds a cigarette while posing in a dress designed by Helen Rose in the MGM wardrobe department for the film “The Girl Who Had Everything.”
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The actress combs her hair while in a bathing suit on the set of “The Girl Who Had Everything.”
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Taylor in a red bathing suit with sequins on the front.
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Taylor models a cocktail frock in black and white silk in Rome.
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Taylor poses in a swirling dress for the movie “Rhapsody,” filmed in Switzerland.
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Taylor poses in a swimming pool, wearing a one-piece, leopard print swimsuit.
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Taylor wears circular gold earrings in a studio portrait.
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Taylor wears an evening gown, a pearl bracelet and a sparkly hair accessory.
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Taylor on location in Indiana for the filming of the Civil War-era drama, “Raintree County,” in which she was again paired with Clift.
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The actress poses with sunglasses on the set of the movie “Giant,” one of her biggest hits. Rock Hudson and James Dean — in his last film — were her co-stars.
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Taylor in her home in Beverly Hills, California.
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Taylor wears diamond earrings and a tiara at Cannes, France.
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The actress walks from the water in a scene from “Suddenly Last Summer,” another of her collaborations with Clift. The film also starred Katerine Hepburn.
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Taylor watches her then-fiancé Eddie Fisher as he performed onstage at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.
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Taylor on the set of “Suddenly, Last Summer.”
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Taylor on the set and in character for “Butterfield 8.” She won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance. She won the same award later in the decade for her role in “Who Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” co-starring her then-husband, Richard Burton.
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The actress in a pink suit.
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Taylor as the title character in “Cleopatra,” directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. She and Burton began a torrid romance during the filming of the epic.
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Another shot from “Cleopatra.”
